Goodness begets gratitude

Introduction to the Devout Life

Part First, Chapter 9-24

English-speaking Group:
Justin Narzary, Grea Duzon Mendoza, Sebhat Hadgu Kahsay

    The nine meditations offer a preparation for one’s soul to enter into God’s dwelling – a man’s heart. St. Francis had stressed  before and after these meditations on purification of one’s sinfulness that with such humble awareness and contrite acceptance of our own personal limitations we will find ourselves in God’s loving mercy and peace leading us to abandon on His truth and goodness which is the grace that the sacrament of penance and reconciliation calls us to be.

    For pastoral application, we believe that God has given us much in order to savour what we have right now. The challenge are these:

• To truly live our faith seriously! 
• To live everyday with firm resolutions and fidelity so that we might grow in loving God and become more conscious of His love in us.
• To celebrate the Sacraments with a greater importance and zeal.
• “Goodness begets gratitude just as mercy begets forgiveness.”  To recognize the presence of God’s mercy and love in others, so as they are to us.
  

Text by Sr Grea Mendoza
Photo by Joe Boenzi: Path to conversion - the ruins of St Augustine Convent in old Goa (July 2009)